Time is running out to register for 2014 health insurance

As the deadline to register for health insurance through the federal online exchange nears, Stark County is seeing some success

Jessica Holbrook CantonRep.com business writer @JHolbrookREP

After two vexing months of crashes and error messages, it seems the federal online health insurance exchange finally is running smoothly.

Just in time, as the Dec. 23 deadline to enroll for coverage that will start Jan. 1, is rapidly approaching.

The exchange opened Oct. 1 with highly-publicized technical problems. The site, www.healthcare.gov, has since undergone repairs. The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that about four times as many people enrolled in plans through the federal and state-run exchanges in November compared to October.

In all, about 365,000 people have enrolled in a plan. Since October, about 1.9 million have applied and determined their eligibility for subsidies but not selected plans, and an additional 803,077 were found eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

LOCAL HELP

Renee' Lung, a certified application counselor at the Canton Community Clinic, had her first victory Dec. 3, when she helped two people navigate through the entire online enrollment process.

Some people still encounter errors, but most are able now to enroll in a plan, said Lung, who has been assisting people with the exchange since it opened.

The exchange, created by the Affordable Care Act, is designed as one-stop-shop for uninsured Americans to research and purchase health coverage.

The clinic is one of several area organizations certified to help people navigate the system.

Lung, with help from another counselor at the clinic, is seeing about 50 people a week, she said. They can help people create an account on the site and wade through the application, but have to stop short of actually enrolling someone in a health plan — that requires the buyer to pay their first premium to the insurance company, she said.

The Stark Social Workers Network, another certified area organization, has had a steady stream of calls, said Director Beverly Jordan.

The organization has been helping sign people up since November. In that month, Jordan said she's seen attitudes change.

Initially, people were frustrated by the exchange, but now they're determined. The organization has had calls from lots of young people especially who, when they run into problems, just say "oh well, we'll try again," she added.

People used to quote talking heads or political statements, but they don't anymore. Now, all they know is they have the potential to be covered, she said.

Applicants are also referring their friends and family to the exchange.

ENROLLING

To have health insurance coverage on Jan. 1, people need to be enrolled in a plan by Dec. 23. and must pay their premium by Dec. 31. President Obama's administration announced in November that the original deadline, Dec. 15, would be pushed back eight days.

The sooner you enroll the better. The average enrollment — from selecting a plan to the insurance company processing the premium — takes two to four weeks, Lung said.

If you aren't enrolled by the deadline, your health insurance coverage will kick in February 1.

Open enrollment on the exchange is open until March 31. That's the deadline obtain health coverage — whether that's through the exchange, their employer, another private plan, or Medicaid or Medicare — to avoid paying a fee next year.

Local organizations will be offering assistance with the exchange well into 2014.

For those without Internet access, the Stark Social Workers Network has computers available for people to use. And the clinic has been holding open

holding open enrollment events at the Stark County District Library — the next event is December 19 — with available computers.

Both organizations also are offering assistance over the phone and can provide paper applications.

The questions are as varied as the people asking them, Jordan said.

The network has a volunteer on staff willing to research any questions. The organization is getting people the information they need, and if they can't help them, are referring them to someone they can, she said.

Lung said many of her questions have been about the required proof of income — necessary to determine eligibility for subsidies — and other demographic information.

Recently, the clinic has enrolled many people in Ohio's newly expanded Medicaid program, she said.

Ohioans who are newly eligible for Medicaid can enroll online at benefits.ohio.gov.

The site, which launched Dec. 9, is working more smoothly than the Exchange did, Lung joked.

HELP WANTED

The network is searching for volunteers to help them reach more applicants. Volunteers do have to undergo training and will be screened, Jordan said.

Confidentially is vital to the organization, she said. The community needs to know that everything they say and any information they provide is only used to help people enroll in insurance, she added.

Along those lines, anyone who goes to the organization for assistance has to sign a release form, she said, and helping with the exchange is a wonderful opportunity for the organization.

"Agencies always talk about empowering families and helping children... well, good health is something people always take for granted," she said.

When people don't have good health, they can't be employed, they miss work, they can't parent, she added.

Still required

Many people will qualify for a subsidy on health insurance purchased through the marketplace, but not everyone will.

In general, if your estimated 2014 income falls above 400 percent of the federal poverty line — about $45,960 for an individual, $94,200 for a family of four — you won't qualify for a subsidy.

That doesn't exempt you from the requirement to have health coverage in 2014. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, you've got several options:

• Buy coverage directly from an insurance company

• Enlist the help of an agent or broker

• Purchase insurance through an online insurance seller

• Apply and enroll in an exchange plan anyway; you're allowed to do so even if you aren't eligible for a subsidy.

If you decide to opt-out of insurance next year, you may face a penalty. The fee starts at $95 for an adult and $47.50 for each child, though the most a family will pay in 2014 is $285. The fees increase each year.

Qualify for subsidy

When you enroll on a plan on the exchange, you may be eligible for subsidies to offset the cost of coverage. The amount you receive is based on your 2014 income. If you fall in the following brackets, you're likely eligible for a subsidy:

• $11,490 to $45,960 for individuals

• $15,510 to $62,040 for a family of 2

• $19,530 to $78,120 for a family of 3

• $23,550 to $94,200 for a family of 4

• $27,570 to $110,280 for a family of 5

• $31,590 to $126,360 for a family of 6

• $35,610 to $142,440 for a family of 7

• $39,630 to $158,520 for a family of 8

If your income falls below 135 percent of the federal poverty line, you may be eligible for Medicaid. If your 2014 income is below the lowest number above, you should check your Medicaid eligibility at benefits.ohio.gov.

When you apply on the exchange, the site should also inform you if you're eligible for Medicaid.

Enroll by Dec. 23

To have health coverage that begins Jan. 1, you need to be enrolled in a health plan by Dec. 23. Renee' Lung, a certified application counselor with the Canton Community Clinic, and Beverly Jordan, director of the Stark Social Workers Network, gave the following tips for navigating the exchange.

Start now

• Both Lung and Jordan agreed you start sooner rather than later. It can take two to four weeks for enrollment to process, Lung said, and you aren't truly enrolled in a plan until you pay your premium.

Get an email address

• The online exchange requires you to have an email address to make an account, Lung said, adding that the site will send you a confirmation email before you can start enrolling.

Take your time

• Set aside enough time to work through the exchange, Jordan advised, and if you don't have a home computer with Internet access, go somewhere with access that will allow you stay as long as you need. The Stark Social Workers Network has computers available for use at their office.

Know your application options

• If you don't have access to a computer, or you aren't comfortable using one, you can fill out a paper application or apply by phone at 800-318-2596.

Gather information

• To enroll, you'll need proof of income for 2014 -- usually income tax information -- and social security numbers and dates of birth for everyone in your household, Lung said.

Know your budget

• Figuring out what your family can afford is the most time-consuming part of the process, Lung said. "That's the biggest thing: How can you manage your budget to afford the premium."

Before you enroll, Lung suggested using the Kaiser Family Foundation's online subsidy calculator. Go to healthcare.gov and click on "See if I can get lower costs," or go to kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator

Ask for help

• If you need assistance, find agencies that can help you and go somewhere you're comfortable, Jordan said.